ICU Veterinary Assistant

North Carolina State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Job summary

North Carolina State University is seeking an ICU Veterinary Assistant to provide advanced nursing care in the high-acuity unit of the Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Medical Center. The role requires extensive clinical expertise and the ability to manage a varied caseload of small animal and exotic patients.

The position includes responsibilities such as overseeing critical monitoring, emergency response, pharmacological management, and mentoring veterinary students. Comprehensive benefits including medical plans, retirement programs, and academic assistance are offered.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a veterinary technician in an emergency or critical care clinical setting.
• Proven experience in teaching, coaching, or mentoring veterinary students in clinical settings.
• Advanced competency in managing high-acuity interventions and complex anesthetic recoveries.
• Strong aptitude for high-risk drug calculations and independent judgment in medical situations.
• Demonstrated ability to provide high-quality customer service during stressful interactions.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced nursing care in a high-acuity unit.
• Perform complex medical treatments and manage critical monitoring.
• Respond to emergencies and provide life-saving support.
• Manage pharmacological treatments and post-surgical recovery.
• Maintain infection control and clinical communication.
• Teach and mentor students in advanced patient care techniques.
• Record patient data accurately using hospital systems.
• Facilitate client visitations and maintain professional empathy.
• Ensure workspace safety and compliance with policies.
• Participate in team collaboration and problem-solving.
• Demonstrate physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Skills

Advanced Clinical Experience

Instructional Background

Specialized Technical Proficiency

Critical Thinking & Pharmacology

Communication & Resilience

Education

Completion of an accredited training program

Job description

Responsibilities

ICU Veterinary Assistant provides advanced nursing care within the 24/7 high‑acuity unit of the Randall B. Terry Jr. Companion Animal Medical Center. Operating in a fast‑paced teaching environment, this role manages a varied caseload of small animal and exotic patients and requires a high level of clinical expertise, professional communication, and the ability to coordinate care seamlessly between specialty services, clinicians, and students.

• Advanced Nursing Interventions: Perform complex medical treatments, including catheter placement (venous, arterial, and central), oxygen therapy (nasal/chest tubes), urinary management, and blood/plasma transfusions.
• Critical Monitoring & Diagnostics: Monitor vital signs (TPR, BP, ECG), manage ventilator support, and utilize specialized equipment such as pulse oximeters, wound vacuums, and ultrasound machines.
• Emergency Response: Perform CPR and provide immediate life‑saving support for patients in crisis.
• Pharmacological Management: Calculate and administer high‑risk medications, including constant rate infusions (CRI), intravenous fluids, and complex pain‑management protocols.
• Specialized Recovery: Manage post‑anesthetic and post‑surgical recovery for high‑risk neurological, soft‑tissue, trauma, and extracorporeal patients.
• Infection Control: Maintain rigorous standards for isolation protocols, antibiotic‑resistant cases, and infectious disease management.
• Clinical Communication: Coordinate patient admissions and care plans by synthesizing information from clinicians and students regarding diagnostics and treatment goals.
• Instruction & Mentorship: Actively teach, coach, and orient 4th‑year veterinary students, interns, residents, and new staff on hospital policies and advanced patient care techniques.
• Data Management: Accurately record and communicate patient data, diagnostic results, and treatment histories using hospital information systems.
• Client Relations: Support and facilitate client visitations, maintaining professional empathy in emotionally charged or challenging situations.
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain a clean, functional workspace in accordance with OSHA, EHS, radiation safety, and hospital infectious disease policies.
• Team Collaboration: Participate actively in problem‑solving and team advancement, working independently with sound judgment while requesting assistance when necessary.
• Operational Agility: Demonstrate the physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds, work around potential hazards (zoonotic diseases, chemicals, gases), and extend work hours as required by patient needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Experience/Education: Completion of an accredited training program in the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

• Advanced Clinical Experience: Previous experience as a veterinary technician in an emergency or critical care clinical setting; preferably at a teaching hospital.
• Instructional Background: Proven experience in teaching, coaching, or mentoring veterinary students and junior staff members within a clinical environment.
• Specialized Technical Proficiency: Advanced competency in managing high‑acuity interventions, including ventilator monitoring, central line placement, and complex anesthetic recoveries.
• Critical Thinking & Pharmacology: Strong aptitude for high‑risk drug calculations (CRIs) and the ability to exercise independent judgment in rapidly changing medical situations.
• Communication & Resilience: Demonstrated ability to provide high‑quality customer service and maintain professional composure during emotionally charged or high‑stress client interactions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919‑513‑0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E‑Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.